SI

For those of you that have a lot of Citation experience, I'd like for you to weigh in on the Sierra Industries (Sierra Industries | Cessna Citation | Aircraft Maintenance) conversion of SP Citations. It seems that one can have the capabilities of an M2 at the price of an Eclipse or high time Mustang with G1000 avionics. The only real downside I see is an older airframe. What is the consensus on these conversions? They've been around for a while and have done hundreds of these from what I understand.

On paper they are quite attractive. Two new Williams FADEC engines, upgraded interior and avionics, etc. The range, speed, and other specs are astonishing. Nothing in aviation is free so what am I missing?

 

If you are thinking of that have you also looked at the remanufactured Beechjet?

Jeff

 

You aren't. A huge bargain. I've flown a buddies to Europe. However they put a Megget system in. I wouldn't. Some have the Garmin 1000 system which is far superior. You can pick one up used for 1.2M. Cheaper than a Mustang, etc. and far more capable.

Art

 

I haven't looked very seriously at the Beechjet essentially because of service concerns. I know that at least with a Citation I can expect excellent service and plentiful service centers.

 

I would rethink that assumption about service centers. Art can tell me if I'm wrong, but I believe a Cessna service center won't touch a Sierra-modified Citation. Certainly a factory service center won't.

The good news is that there are lots of independent shops who know about Citations, and of course you can always go back to Sierra.

Otherwise, I think they look like a great deal as well. I would be careful about corrosion, given the age of the airframe, but I think you could get comfortable with that.

 

Cessna doesn't like these, but there are many places that do. A huge factor in the Stallion is the increased length of the wing. Lowers stall speed, adds another hour to the cruise. If you don't need 1600 nautical miles, just the long wing adds 300 miles to the range and they are relatively cheap. Also lowers the stall speed and approach speeds to open up a lot of shorter runways. Huge improvement.

Art

 

I thought the "long wing" only matters on the 500-- didn't the 501 have this from the factory? Or do they lengthen the 501 wing even further?

 

They do. The 501 has the same wing as the 500, I think. Sierra modifies both.

Art

 

The Nextant version is the one to look at. The realignment of the Hawker Beech facilities has already been determined. Factory or independent facilities will all be legitimate choices. Personally I tend to vote for the independents as they will be more negotiable on terms.

Jeff

 

501 definitely has a longer wing than the 500. If you look at the wingtip, you can see where it was extended.

To the OP, if you're interested in a Sierra modified airplane, you should look at their catalog:

http://www.sijet.com/sierra-catalog-cessna

It gives a bunch of information and comparisons to the CJ2, M2, etc.

 

They have the same wing span. The model got a longer wing when the name changed.

Cessna 500 & 501 Citation, Citation I & Citation I/SP | Airliners.net

Art

 

Nextant/Beechjet is a 2 pilot airplane.

 

Curious if you have talked to the insurance company about the rate difference for a single pilot, single professional pilot and 2 pilots? I seem to remember hearing that even a single pilot jet flown with 2 gets a discount.

Jeff

 

I haven't because I don't care. I will never sacrifice the freedom I have being single pilot to take on a second pilot. Maybe when I get older. It's not about "saving a buck".

Aren't those Nextants at least $4MM? Too much for a "Frankenplane". If I owned a charter operation I'd do it. But not as my personal plane. Too hard to get rid of when the time comes. I don't think comparing the Stallion to the Nextant is legit. 2 very different price points.